Major Harris (singer)

Major Harris III (February 9, 1947^[1] – November 9, 2012)^[2] was an American R&B singer, associated with the Philadelphia soul sound and the Delfonics (early 1970s–1974). His biggest hit as a solo artist was the 1975 single "Love Won't Let Me Wait".

Major Harris
Background information
Birth name	Major Harris III
Born	(1947-02-09)February 9, 1947 Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Died	November 9, 2012(2012-11-09) (aged 65) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1960s–2011

Life and career

Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia, United States.^[1] Early in his career, Harris sang with groups such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels,^[1] and Nat Turner Rebellion, which also featured his songwriting brother, Joseph B. Jefferson, and recorded a few solo 7" records on the Laurie and Okeh labels. In the early 1970s, he took over from Randy Cain as a member of the Delfonics; he quit the group to go solo in 1974.^[1] Signing with Atlantic Records, Harris scored a string of R&B hits in the United States, including the top ten single "Love Won't Let Me Wait",^[1] which peaked at #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #37 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1975. Written by Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett, "Love Won't Let Me Wait" was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. on 25 June 1975.^[3]

In 1984, Harris recorded the LP I Believe in Love on Streetwave Records, the title track of the same name which did receive airplay that year on BBC Radio 1 from DJ Robbie Vincent. However, the album had limited success.

When his success as a soloist subsided, Harris returned to the Delfonics,^[1] and continued to tour with one of two touring ensembles that used the name in the 1990s and 2000s. Major was a cousin to the Philadelphia record producer and arranger, Norman Harris.^[4]

Harris died in a Richmond, Virginia, hospital from congestive heart and lung failure at the age of 65.^[2]

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album	Label	Peak chart positions
			US [5]	US R&B [5]
1974	My Way	Atlantic Records	28	12
1975	Blue Magic Live featuring Major Harris and Margie Joseph	WMOT Records	—	—
1976	Jealousy	Atlantic Records	153	33
1978	How Do You Take Your Love	RCA Records	—	—
1984	I Believe in Love	Streetwave Records	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

• The Best of Now and Then (WMOT Records, 1981)

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions
		US Pop [5]	US R&B [5]	US Adult	AUS [6]	UK [7]
1974	"Each Morning I Wake Up"	—	98	—	—	—
1975	"Love Won't Let Me Wait"	5	1	33	85	37
1976	"I Got Over Love"	—	24	—	—	—
	"It's Got to Be Magic"	—	91	—	—	—
	"Jealousy"	73	46	—	—	—
	"Laid Back Love"	91	57	—	—	—
1981	"Here We Are"	—	—	—	—	—
1983	"All My Life"	—	52	—	—	61
	"I Want Your Love"	—	—	—	—	—
1984	"Gotta Make Up Your Mind"	—	—	—	—	—
	"I Believe in Love"	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
• List of current Atlantic Records artists
• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States